Missouri’s Shane Ray wins Walter Camp All-American honor

The first of five All-American lists officially recognized by the NCAA was released Thursday evening, and Missouri junior defensive end Shane Ray found himself on the Walter Camp Football Foundation’s first team.

Ray, a Kansas City native and Bishop Miege graduate, is the 34th All-American player in Tigers history and the eighth during coach Gary Pinkel’s 14 seasons.

Ray, who was chosen as the SEC defensive player of the year by The Associated Press and the conference’s coaches, is the first MU player since Justin Smith in 2000 to win All-America status as a junior.

During his first season as a starter, Ray set a Missouri single-season record with 14 sacks, which is the third most in the nation.

He led the SEC in sacks and tackles for a loss (21), the sixth most in the nation.

Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett was a second-team All-American at wide receiver and kick returner.

First-team All-Americans under Gary Pinkel

Year Pos. Player

2007 AP* Jeremy Maclin, TE Martin Rucker

2008 TE Chase Coffman, AP* Jeremy Maclin

2009 WR Danario Alexander, K Grant Ressel

2010 TE Michael Egnew

2013 DE Michael Sam

2014 DE Shane Ray

* indicates all-purpose selection

To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to tpalmer@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter at @todpalmer.

This story was originally published December 11, 2014 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Missouri’s Shane Ray wins Walter Camp All-American honor."